Life in the Countryside

Living in the countryside is not all romance and tranquillity despite the wonderful landscapes and incredible views, the fresh air and lack of pollution, the feeling of escaping the rat race. Here in the UK a rural location so often means a lack of amenities as village shops close down and local schools don’t have sufficient pupils to remain open, so they have to be bussed to a nearby town, public transport is non-existent or infrequent and in many picturesque areas local housing can be extremely expensive with many being second homes where city people visit, but don’t live.

West Gate on Trencrom Hill. August 2019. Click to enlarge image.

We are so often seduced by films and TV programmes into thinking a rural life is a better life, where you can grow your own food, enjoy lots of hobbies and get fit through country hikes and bike rides and it can be, but it can also be a hard life if you run a business and sometimes a lonely life. Broadband connections can be slow, mobile phone reception erratic and without a car you can become quite isolated.

I didn’t set out to live in quite as remote a location as I do, a tiny hamlet built up around a farm, but finding a house both the OH and I liked was difficult on our budget. We intended to be in or at least close to a town which is what we were both used to, but we fell in love with the views from this house and persuaded ourselves that it’s not really that far from a town or the beaches. And it isn’t, but to reach either requires having to drive.

Trevalgan Hill. August 2019. Click to enlarge image.

I’m enjoying living in the countryside for now as it is a complete change from suburban places I have previously lived in, and I love the views from my window of the local dairy herd grazing in the fields, new born calves and lambs; Alice, the engine house, a focal point in the lane that provides a sense of the history of the county; the sound of horses slowly trotting along the lane, seagulls, crows and mewing buzzards; the smell of fresh air (though not the permeating smell of cattle manure); watching the sea fret slowly creep in filling the hollows between the hills and the ever-changing colours of the windswept downs, but I realise that one day I shall probably have to move back to a town environment for the facilities it offers as we grow older.

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Hi, Jude. I can see why you love the landscape there. The colors are gorgeous. The country has all the qualities you mentioned, but you’re also right about the shortcomings. We found it frustrating to drive 20 minutes to a grocery store and 40 minutes to get to a highway and 2.5 hours to get to Boston. We moved to a city of 100,000 people and found that too small! Who knows where we’ll end up next!

It’s very different from the last place we lived where I could access all the shops I wanted plus fabulous market stalls in a two minute walk and easy access to countryside, but I really wanted to be closer to the coast. Hard to find that perfect spot.

I don’t like the farm smells or noises either, but it’s a price we have to pay for these views. I guess I am much more of a recluse than you are, you’d hate living here, whereas I’m happy with my garden to potter in. As you say, “vive la difference” 😘

What splendid colours! It’s nice to live somewhere where you have access to the countryside, seaside, town and city as they all have something different to offer. From the pictures you share, you live in / near to some very beautiful places – I’m sure when it’s time to move, you’ll find somewhere that still has a good balance of the things you enjoy.

Yes it is! If only I had thought of moving there years ago 🤨 I’ve been visiting since I was a child, and more recently ( the last 30 years) at least twice a year for holidays and art courses at StIves school of painting. I absolutely love the area and have a dear friend who lives near Helston in Skyburriowe Mill. I’m very envious of you, but I can understand how the influx of tourists must spoil it for the locals- sorry 😉

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